Handball Equipment and History

Ball

The ball, with a leather casing, ranges in circumference from 58 to 60 centimetres for men and 54 to 56 for women. It weighs 425 to 475 grams for men, 325 to 400 for women.

Court

The court for handball is 40 metres long and 20 metres wide. A centre line across it divides it into two equal courts, with a goal area at each end. The goal area is D-shaped, arcing from the corners to a straight line six metres in front of the goal. The arcing sides similarly create a six-metre distance from the nearest part of the goal at all points.

All events

Glossary

Back lineA line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "outer goal line".

Centre backA player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "playmaker".

Centre lineA line across the court dividing it into two halves.

Corner throwAn offensive player''s throw from a corner at the offensive end of the court, restarting play after the ball has gone over the back line after being touched by a defender other than the goalkeeper.

Court playerAny player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "field player".

DribbleTo move the ball by bouncing it on the floor.

ExclusionWhen a player is ejected from the game with no replacement allowed.

Field playerAny player on the court except a goalkeeper; also known as a "court player".

Four-metre lineA line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "goalkeeper''s restraining line".

Free throwA fresh start to offensive play without interference from the defence, awarded for a minor offence by the opponent.

Free-throw lineAn arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "nine-metre line".

Goal areaThe D-shaped area extending six metres from the goal and occupied only by the goalkeeper.

Goal area lineAn arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "six-metre line".

Goal lineThe line the ball must cross to score a goal.

Goal throwA throw-in from a goalkeeper to a team-mate, restarting play after the goalkeeper or the opposition last touched the ball before it passed over the back line.

GoalkeeperThe player in charge of defending the goal.

Goalkeeper''s restraining lineA line four metres in front of a goal that marks the limit of where a goalkeeper may advance to defend against a penalty throw; also known as the "four-metre line".

HarpastonAn ancient Roman team sport believed to be a forerunner to handball, in which players threw a small ball to team-mates while trying to avoid opposing players.

Jump shotA shot attempted while leaping.

Line playerAn offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "pivot".

Nine-metre lineAn arcing dotted line extending nine metres from the goal, marking where an attacking team resumes play after being fouled inside the line; also called the "free-throw line".

Outer goal lineA line across the end of the court, but not including the goal line; also called the "back line".

Penalty lineA one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "seven-metre line".

Penalty shoot-outA tie-breaking system where, after a tied game, players on each team try to score against the opposing goalkeeper from the penalty line to determine a winner.

Penalty throwA seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious offence or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "seven-metre throw".

PivotAn offensive player who plays largely around the six-metre line; also called a "line player".

PlaymakerA player centred largely around midcourt who directs the offence and shoots or tries to penetrate the defence; also called a "centre back".

Red cardA card signifying a referee has ejected a player from the game.

Referee throwSimilar to a jump ball in basketball, a throw into the air by the referee so a player on each team can jump and try to gain control of the ball.

Running shotA shot attempted while running.

Seven-metre lineA one-metre line seven metres in front of the goal where penalty throws are attempted; also called the "penalty line".

Seven-metre throwA seven-metre shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper and awarded for a serious infraction or because the defence illegally spoiled a clear chance to score a goal; also called a "penalty throw".

ShooterA player, usually tall and a good jumper, who shoots from the backcourt.

SidelineA boundary line marking a side of the court.

Six-metre lineAn arcing line that defines the goal area; also called the "goal area line".

Throw-inA throw from the side of the court to restart play after the ball has gone over the sidelines.

Throw-offA throw from the centre line to a team-mate at least three metres away and behind the line, used to restart play.

Two-minute suspensionThe penalty for a second warning from the referee or for any severe foul or unsportsmanlike behaviour.

WingA player who plays largely along the side of the court.

Yellow cardA card signifying the referee has warned a player about an infraction.